Local Refs Go Pink for Breast Cancer

It’s often said that the best referees are the ones you don’t notice. Well, these guys are going to be hard not to notice, but at least it’s for a good cause.

The Bluewater Referees Association , based in Ontario, have jumped on board for Breast Cancer Awareness month. All referees and linesmen will be donating a game’s pay to the Sarnia-Lambton Breast Cancer Association. The donation will be made prior to the start of a major midget AAA game between the Lambton Jr. Sting and the Windsor Spitfire on Sunday, October 20. The game is free to attend, but donations will be accepted at the door.

The best part? They’ll be officiating the game with pink-and-black striped jerseys.

“All the referees that are doing that particular game will have had breast cancer touch their life,” said Mark Colbran, the assignor for the Bluewater Referees Association. “You see the NHL, the NFL, the MLB, they all do something, so I thought ‘why not the minor sports’,” said referee Matthew Murray, who’s led the effort.

[…]

Murray was inspired to raise awareness for breast cancer after losing his great aunt to it, and has reached out to a number of local hockey figures who have had breast cancer affect their lives in some way.

It’s great to see teams give back. It’s even better to see the officials take part. Nice work, boys.

(Big stick-tap to Shaun Bisson for covering this one at The Observer.)